Metallic wall tiling



Aug. 20', 1929. G. BENNETT METALLIC WALL TILING Filed Feb. l, 1926 Vil/a/ LIT lNvl-:N'ron f A; ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2o, 1929'.

UNITED STATESv GEORGE L. BENNETT, F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

METALLIC WALL TILING.

Application illed February My invention relates to metallic wall tiling, and more particularly to the construc- .tion of such tiling and the manner of mounting dierent sections of same in relat1on to 5 each other and to the wall of a building.

The wall tiling of my invention, is made of sheet metal, one surface of which is so formed and finished as to resemble ceramic tiles.

The construction is such, that large sheets of lo this material may be secured in relation to the wall of a building and to adjacent sheets, in

a manner to avoid the presence of perceptible joints or crevices -at the parting between adjacent sheets while avoiding the necessity l5 for the use of n ails or fasteners passing through the metallic sheets with theheads exposed.

It is also essential to secure the tiling sheets in position by concealed means which will not only facilitate the mountin of the tiling upon a wall, but will aifor re-enforcement to the material of the sheets" when positioned upon the wall, and impart a desirable rigidity to the whole tiling structure.

In conjunction with tiling sheets of the character above referredto, I provide base strips secured in relation to the flooring of a room and co-o erating with the lower edges of the sheets o? tiling, and also cap pieces secured to the studding and co-operatmg with the top edge of the tiling sheets.

By a construction of tiling embodying my invention, each tiling sheet receives both longitudinal and vertical support from the studding or walls of the building, and the various sheets are united in a manner to permit the edges of adjacent sheets to be rought into close abutting relation with each other when tiling is being installed, the supporting means permitting the free movement of the various sheets in relation to each other in fitting them in position.

The invention consists primarily in metalsheet having one facethereof suitably decorated, and horizontally extending, co-operating, interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

`sections to be brought and maintained in lic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic' 1, 1926. Serial No. 85,106.

Fig. 1 is a front view oiba fragmentary p0rtion of a metallic wall tiling installation embodying the invention, with portions thereof broken away; u

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig 1; and

Fig 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several Views.

In'the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a indicates the studdin of the room of a. building to which the ti ing of my invention is to be attached, b' the flooring of the room, and c, the dadoor wall of the room above the tiling. It will readily be understood, however, that the tiling, instead of'serving merely as a sort of wain` scoting, may be. extended tothe ceilin of the room, and may even constitute the cei ing.

The tiling of my invention is formed of thin sheet metal, preferably rangin from .03 to .06 of an inch, and is 1n sheet orm of a length corresponding with the height of the tiling which is desired, and of a width which maybe conveniently handled. In the accom-1 panying drawings, portions of three such sheets, d, e and f are shown. With metal of the thickness of that used in tiling, it is essential to afford support or reenforcement therefor at closel adjacent points, not only to avoid waves ue to buckling in the wall finish, but to permit the edges of adjacent sheets or close abutting relation. The use of nails in securing sheets of metal tiling in position is not desirable, because the exposed heads of such nails is a serious deface'ment to the wall, and irregularity in the spacing ofthe studs. makes itl impracticable to secure a proper itting of the edges of adjoining sections with relation to each other.

To permit the tiling to be sitioned with relation to the wall, and a joining sheets thereof in relation to each other, while at the same tim`e imparting that rigidity to the whole tiling structure which will cause it to always presenta smooth finish, and avoid the presence of any appreciable crack or crevice at the parting between adjoining sections or la` l' sheets, I provide concealed co-operating interlockingmeans upon the undecoratedface or back of each sheet and adapted A,tab'efirmly secured to the studding of the building 'structure. Such means will aiord a plurality of 11o points of supports and re-enforcement to each sheet, both vertically and laterally thereof, thus not only firmly securing each tile sheet in position in relation to the studding, but in relation to adjoining sheets, while at the same time affording very effective stiifening means for the tiling sheets.

The interlocking means above referred to, in the embodiment of the invention shown, includes light metal, Z-shaped furring strips g adapted to be nailed or otherwise secured to the studs a or walls of the building. These furring strips extend horizontally for substantially the full length of the wall to which. the tiling is to be applied, and a plurality of such furring strips, spaced vertically at predetermined distances arev used.` The lower iiange of the Z is used in securing said furrinfr strips to the studding.

(Io-operating with the flirring strips g is a plurality of Z strips k corresponding in number and in their spacing with the strips n g, the Z strips h having one iiange thereof,

ythat ezttendingupwardly, secured in any desired manner as by spot, or other, welding or soldering methods to the undecorated, or rear,

face of each sheet. The dimensions of the furring strips g are such as to secure the desired spacing of the tiling sheet from the furring strips, while the dimensions of the co-operating interlocking members or Z strips h are such as -to afford, as to each strip, a downwardly presented socket with which the upwardly presented fiange of the strips g is adapted to have a close sliding't.

The strips h preferably extend for the full width of the tiling sheet, or from sideedge to side edge thereof, thus affording bothvertical and horizontal support for the tilin sheet. In this manner the sheet is supporte both vertically and horizontally at a plurality of adjacent points, and the load of the sheet is so distributed as to relieve each of the cooperating interlocking members from any material stresses which might result in buckling of the tiling sheet.

The form of the interlocking members is" Y such as to permit vertical or horlzontal movement of the sheet when mounting it upon a wall, this construction being highly desirable as facilitating not only the mounting of the sheet, but the bringing of one edge of each sheet as it is being mounted, into the desired close abutting relation to the sheet previously mounted. The furring strips g and the 'cooperating strips h carried by the tiling sheets may be made of fairly light metal stock, permitting sufficient resiliency in the strips h to secure the desired tightness of the sheet with relation to the furrin strips and with the wall, and to add great y to fire resistance of such tiling.

To prevent movement of one tiling sheet with relation to the adjacent tiling sheet intermediate the points of support afforded by the interlocking strip g and h, I provide the side edges of each heet with members adapted. to interlock with co-operating members ad.- vjacent the edge of the adjoining sheet which will ensure accuracy in the ahgning of the edges of these sheets as theyare mounted inv the edge thereof adj aeent the e ge of the tili ing to form a channel open at the top and at the bottom adapted to receive a flat plate j secured'by spot, or other, welding methods adjacent the edge of the adjoining tiling sheet, the plate y' projecting beyond the edge of the sheet carrying same so as to lap the parting between the adjoining sheets and enter the channel formed by the plate z' in en` gaging relation to the offset portion of this plate, and with the portion of the sheet adj a- Y cent the edge thereof.

For the purpose of standardizing the tiling sheets, I preferably provide one edge thereof with a plate c' and the Other edge thereof with a plate j,although this arrangement obviously is not essential so lon as one of the metal sheets has a plurality o plates intermediate .the strips h thereon and the ad joining tiling sheetv has co-operating plates j. The plates z' and y' are of a height to occupy Suiiicient space between the strips 7L to impart the desired rigidity to the tiling sheets at the edges thereof intermediate said plates. The plates 't' are offset to an extent to ensure a tightsliding fit between the substantially parallel offset portion and the tiling Sheet and the projecting portion of the plate j.

d In conjunction with the tiling sheets, I provide base and cap strips adapted to cooperate respectively with the upper and lower edges of each tiling sheet.

The base strip comprises a section k which may be in the form of a cove, and is adapted to be secured to the iooring adjacent the studding a. Secured thereto by spot, or other, welding methods, is a fitting m having parallel Hanges m-m2 offset in relation to each other, the fiange m being sufficiently deep to afford ample space for the welding operation, this ange being of a de th to engage and be secured to'the base 7c elow the upper edge thereof so as to form an upwardly presented pocket. The lower edge of each tiling sheet has secured upon the undecorated or rear face thereof, a flat plate n adapted t0 enter thevp'ocket above referred to, and with the decorated face of the tiling sheet in substantial alinement with the upper adjoining portion of the base strip. The fitting m. and plate n in conjunction with the base strip 7c, impart rigidity to the lower edge of each tiling sheet. The outer face of the base strip le is suitably decorated to harmonize with the decorations of the tiling sheets.

The top of each sheet is secured in position by means of a cap strip so formed as to give the desired finish to the tiling, this cap being securedY to the studding and having an interlocking relation withrthe upper edge of each tiling sheet. This cap strip is indicated at o in the drawings, and has` at the lower edge thereof, a plate p secured thereto' and proj ecting from said lower edge, this plate being secured to said cap strip by spot, or other, welding methods. The projecting edge of the plate p enters a socket or channel formed by an offset plate g secured adjacent the upper edge of the tiling sheet by spot, 0r other, welding methods, it being preferable to have the strip g formed integrally with the uppermoststrip h in the interest of economy in the production of the tiling sheet. The cap strip is provided with a flat flange o through which nails may be driven into the studs in securing this cap strip in position with relation to the building structure and the various tiling sheets.

By this construction the uppermost strip g may be utilized for imparting rigidity both adjacent the upper edge of the sheet and adjacent the lower edge of' the cap strip. The configuration of the base strip c, and the ca strip o may vary in order to secure the desire finish or decorative. effect at the bottom a'nd at the top of the tiling. The outer face of the cap strip is'suitably decorated to harmonize with the tiling sheets. The flange 0 and the nails securing same to the studding may be concealed either by the wall finish above the tiling, in the event that a wainscoting effeet is secured, or by the cornice or cove at the ceiling, or by the metal plates of the ceiling in the event that a metal ceiling is used. The various binder strips h are secured to the various tiling sheets during the process of the manufacture of these sheets, and the base strip l: andcap strip o are also finished in their entirety at the shop. ln this manner uniformity or standardization of the tiling sheets is secured.

The various tiling sheets are of a width to permit their convenient handling both in the construction of the sheets and in assembling them upon a wall. The various strips ,f/-c-o however, may be made of any desired length, since, by reason of the light construction of these parts, they may be cut to the proper size when mounting them upon the studding, and the manner of assembling the tiling requires no particular length of same.

In applying tiling embodying the inven tion, the base strips r: are first secured in position to the studding near the floor b of a room, it being preferable to secure the strips adjacent the lower edge thereof to the flooring` as by means of nails. By curving the strips as shown, a base cove is provided.

When the strips k are in position the tiling sheet is brought in relation to the studding with the various strips z, positioned above the fui-ring strips g, and the lower edge of the sheet in a position above the strip c where as the sheet is permitted to descend, the plate n adjacent and projecting beyond the lower edge of the sheet, will enter the socket formed by the fitting m, and the various plates I,V

upon the strip, will respectively pass behind and engage the upwardly presented flange of the several furring strips g.

Before thus positioning the tiling sheet, the various furring strips are secured to the studding as by nailing, it being possible to accurately locate and space these strips because of the known distance between the strips I1, upon the tiling sheet, and the known height of the base strip c. As the strips g are positioned it is merely necessary to see t at they are parallel with the floor line, the strips being run for substantiall` the full length, or width, of a room and eing substantially continuous. When one sheet has been positioned as described, the next sheet is handled in like manner receiving, however, as it is being lowered lateral movement sufficient to cause the plates i' and j upon the edge of adjoining plates to interlock in the manner above described, thus not only ensuring a tightl closing of the parting between these sheets and sections, but an accurate alinement of the sheets upon opposite sides of the parting and a stifiening of both sheets adjacent the parting. The continuity of the furring strips g and the open channel formed by the plates j permit the necessary vertical and lateral sliding movement of the ,tiling sheets.

If the dimensions of a room are such that a part, section or sheet is necessary to nish a wall, the workman may remove sufficient from the one edge of any sheet to secure a sheet ofthe desired width for the proper fit. The various strips h being of light weight may be cut by means of a special tool such as is used with metallic electrical moulding. Mitre or fitting cuts, at the ends of the base and cap strips may Vbe-made in the same way for fitting at corners or about door or window trims.

After the various tiling sheets are thus positioned, the cap strips o are positioned in relation to the upper edge of the different sheets coming ywithin the length of such a strip, being brought with the plate p carried thereby in engageable relation with the offset plate g adjacent the upper edge of each of the tiling Aon these furring strips will be distributed throughout the entire width of the sheet. This arrangement prevents vertical buckling of the sheets, holds them firmly with relation to the studding, ensures their being perfectly flat, and secures a stiifeningaction in part.

by the offset flanges, or Z-shape, of the strips L and in art by the engagement of the material of t esheet with the vertically extending iange of the furring strips g with which the strips h co-operate.

The co-operating interlocking means formed by the platesj and serve merely as aliningv members and rein orcing members, since when the sheets are once assembled, there will be no tendency for them to dseparate at the parting, particularly as the strips z. will implart rigidity to the sheet, which will prevent t e formation of vertical buckles or waves.

Throughout the structure all means of securing the tiling sheets in position are or may be concealed, and the manner of securing the sheets in position is such as to avoid any likelihood of the marring ordefacement of the decorative face of the sheet by the workman in securing the sheets in osition.

Spot, or other, welding met ods are used to avoid the presence upon the exposed face of each sheet of tilting of securing means which upon the decorative face will amount to a defacement. Whether the strips h and are secured to the sheet, or the fittings man strips nl are secured to the base and cap strips respectively, before or after the decoration of the sheet, is a matter of-convenience of handling the materials in the course of manufacture.

The number and spacing of strips h and furring strips g is dependent upon the de.

, sired quality of the finished tiling. By placing these stri s closely together, greater ngidity is secure but installation becomes more expensive because of the vincreased labor`of production and of installation.-

The tiling may be quickly and accurately assembled u on a wall, thus ermitting a low cost of insta lation by low need-labor. The

dimensions of the various urring strips may be such as to secure the desired spacing of the sheets such as d, e or f with relation to the studding or with regard to other parts of the wall finlsh. If, as in the drawings, a lath and plaster dado is used, the tiling sheets will be positioned more remote from the studs than where the tiling goes from floor to ceillng.

The entire tiling structure is made of fairly light sheet metal stock, which is permissible by reason of the numerous points of interlocking reinforcing and sup orting devices-imparting rigidity to the nished surface.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is Y 1. Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, and a plurality of co-operating, interlocking supported members adapted to be connected in horizontally extending,

parallel spaced relation to each other, to the studding of the wall of a building, and connected with the undecorated face of said sheet in a similar horizontally extending, parallel spaced relation to each other intermediate the top and bottom edges of said sheet, respectively, whereby no portion of the supporti means for said tilin is exposed.

2. etallic wall tiling em a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, a plurality of co-o rating, interlocking su ported members a a ted to be connected with the studding of t e wall of a building, and connected in horizontall extending, parallel spaced relation4 to eac other, to the undecorated face of said sheet in a similar horizontally extending, parallel spaced relation to each other intermediate t e top and bottom ed es of said lsheet, respectively, and vertica 'extending co-operating interlocking mem rs at the edges of adjacent sheets connected with said sheets within the edges of the lundecorated face thereof, and positioned between said horizontally extending members whereby adjoining sheets are alined one with the other and are reinforced adjacent the partin between said sheets whereby no portion of 51e supporti andalining means for said tiling is ex 3. Metallic wall tiling embodying t erein \a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, co-

operating, interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and connected withthe undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, a

metallic base strip adapted to be connected to the studding of the walls of a building, and co-operating, interlocking. menbers connected respectively to the undecorated face of said sheet and with said base strip.

4. Metallic wall tiling'embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, co-

operating/interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, vertically extending co-operating interlocking members at the edges of adjacent sheets and positioned between said horizontally extending members whereby adjoining sheets are alined one with the other and are reinforced adjacent the parting between said. sheets, a metallic base strip adapted to be connected to the studding of the Wallsof'a building, and co-operating interlocking members connected respectively to the undecorated face of said sheet and with said base strip.

5. Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, cooperating, interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and4 connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, a cap strip adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and cooperating interlocking members connected respectively with the undecorated face of said sheet and of said cap strip. I

6. Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one facetherebf suitably decorated, horizontally extending, cooperating, interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the wallY of a building, and connected with the 11ndecorated face of said sheet, respectively, vertically extending co-operating interlocking members at the edges of adjacent sheetsv and positioned between said horizontally extending members whereby adjoining sheets are alined one with the other and are reinforced adjacent the parting between said sheets, a can strip adapted to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and co-operating interlocking members connected respectively with the undecorated face of said sheet and of said cap strip.

7 Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, a pluralit of horizontally extending, substantially -shaped furring strips adapted to have one flange thereof secured to the studding of the wall of a building, and the other flange thereof presented upwardly, and a plurality of horizontally extending, substantially Z-shaped strips each having one flange thereot` secured to the undecorated face of said sheet, and the other flange thereof extended downwardly in co-operating interlockingt relation with the upwardly extending flange of the furring stri 8.P Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, operating, interlocking members adapted'to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and` connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, a. plate secured to said sheet adjacent one edge thereof, said plate being oiset in relation to the sheet to form a channel open at the top and at the bottom, and a flat plate secured adjacent the edge of an adjoining tiling sheet, projecting beyond said edge and adapted to enter the channel of the plate on the adjacent sheet.

9. Metallic Wall tiling embodying therein ametallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, a pluralit of horizontally extending, substantially -shaped furring so strips adapted to have one flange thereof secured to the studding of the wall of a building, and the other flange thereof presented upwardly, a plurality of horizontally extending, substantially Z-shaped strips each having one flange thereof secured to the undecorated face of said sheet, and the other flange thereof extended downwardly in co-operating interlocking relation with the upwardly extending flange of the furring strip, a plate secured to said sheet'adjaqent one edge thereof,` said platebeing olsetf. in relation to the sheet to form a channehopien at the top and at the bottom, and a flat pljate secured adjacent the edge of an adjoining'tiling sheet, projecting beyond said edge and ada ted to enter the channel of the plate on the adjacent sheet.

10. Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, cooperating, interlocking members adapted to be connected with the studding of the Wall of a building, and connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, a metallic base strip comprising a section ada ted to be secured to the ilooring, a fitting avin parallel flanges offset in relation to eac other, one of said flanges being secured to said strip adjacent the upper edge thereof, and the other being adapted to be secured to 11o the studding of the building, and a plate secured to, and projecting beyond, the lower edge of said metallic sheet adapted to enter the space between the Iflange of said fitting secured to the studding and the portion of said 115 base strip parallel therewith.

11. Metallic wall tiling embodying there-A in a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, horizontally extending, co-operating, interlocking members adapted 120 to be connected with the studding of the wall of a building, and connected with the undecorated face of said sheet, respectively, a cap strip, a flange upon said strip whereby the strip may be secured to the studding, a plate secured to, and projecting beyond, the lower edge of said strip, and an oll'set plate secured adjacent the top of said tiling sheet forming a socket adapted to receive said plate.

12. Metallic wall tiling embodying therein a metallic sheet having one face thereof suitably decorated, a plurality of horizontally extending, substantially `Z-shaped furring strips adapted to have one iange thereof secured to the studdin of the wall of a building, and the other ange thereof presented upwardly, a plurality of horizontally extending, substantially Z-shaped strips each having one fian e thereof secured' to the undecorated face osaid sheet, and the other flange thereof extended downwardly in co-operatadapted to be secured to the iooring, a fitting having parallel anges offset in relation to each other, one of said ianges being secured to said strip adjacent the upper edge there-- of, and the other being adapted to be secured to the studding `01"? the building, a plate secured to, and projecting beyond, the lower edge .of said metallic sheet adapted to enter the space between the flange of said fitting secured to the studding and the portion of said base strip parallel therewith, a ange upon said strip whereby the strip may be secured to the studding, a plate secured to, and projecting beyond, the lower edge of said strip,

and an offset-.plate secured adjacent the top of said tiling sheet forming a'socket adapted to receive said plate. Y

In witness whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature this 23rd day of January, 1926.

GEORGE L. BENNETT. 

